same as it ever was...

thanks to the wonders of online advertising, the new york times' paid subscription service is now a thing of the past. (thank you pop-up ads!) today, one of the only reasons to read the paper--paul krugman--wrote an excellent op-ed about the historic failures of the conservative movement. here's one of my favorite parts:

KRUGMAN (10/8/07): People claim to be shocked by the Bush administration’s general incompetence. But disinterest in good government has long been a principle of modern conservatism. In “The Conscience of a Conservative,” published in 1960, Barry Goldwater wrote that “I have little interest in streamlining government or making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size.”

this is incompetence through self-fulfilling prophecy. to wit: conservatives don't believe government works, therefore it doesn't work. (see FEMA under bush versus clinton. it's true: "heckuvajob brownie" probably knew more than james lee witt about arabian horses!)

at the end of his piece, krugman gets big props for referencing one of the great "american rock bands," the talking heads:

KRUGMAN (10/8/07): Now, as they survey the wreckage of their cause, conservatives may ask themselves: “Well, how did we get here?” They may tell themselves: “This is not my beautiful Right.” They may ask themselves: “My God, what have we done?”

But their movement is the same as it ever was. And Mr. Bush is movement conservatism’s true, loyal heir.

come on: everybody who's seen the video--sing and karate chop your arm at the same time!

same as it every was...same as it ever was...same as it ever was...same as it ever was...same as it ever was...same as it ever was...same as it ever was...same as it ever was...